Nautilus Explorer Liveaboard - Bluewater Dive Travel
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Nautilus Explorer Liveaboard

4.65
(10 REVIEWS)
Nautilus Explorer
Nautilus Explorer Liveaboard

Destination: Mexico

Socorro (5-10 Nights) | From $350++/night

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Nautilus Explorer Liveaboard Quick Pitch

Luxury dive liveaboard serving small groups of divers in the Socorro Islands, the Nautilus Explorer was custom built for diving and designed to offer the highest level of comfort and safety for its guests. Expect spacious rooms and cabins, convenient layout for diving, first-class facilities, top-notch dining services and excellent dives throughout your trip.

 

Why You'll Like Nautilus Explorer

  • Custom built for divers
  • Extra comfort with hot tub, ample fresh water and near silent generators
  • Air conditioning and heating throughout
  • 13 cabins/25 guests/4 dive pros
  • Free transfers from/to the airport
  • Up to 4 meals a day included: buffet and table service combining American, European and Mexican tastes
 

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Accommodations- Facilities - NEW! Schedule, Rates & Availability - Dive Information & Itineraries

Other Information- Underwater Gallery- Booking & Inquiry

Looking for more options? View all Socorro liveaboards.

 

Liveaboard Locations

The trips to Socorro start and end in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

 

Dive Overview

Excellent pelagic and shark diving. Huge manta rays, sharks, and humpback whales are some of Socorro’s underwater stars. 

[Read More: Socorro Dive Travel Guide]

 

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NAUTILUS EXPLORER Accommodations

Types of Cabins, Amenities and Photos

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Nautilus Explorer Cabin Details

  • Triple Stateroom - J
  • Triple stateroom with private ensuite. Bunk bed on one side. Double bed on the other side.
  • Premium Suite - Emerald
  • On the Nautilus Explorer, one large premium suite is available on the upper deck and is twice the size of the other suites. It has a separate bedroom and lounge, each with a large flat-screen TV, ensuite with full-size bathtub and shower.
  • Superior Suites - Dofleini, Rosario, Nautilus
  • Three superior suites on the upper deck with large windows, desk, and wardrobes. Two of these suites have doors that open directly outside. The third suite boasts a large flat-screen TV.
  • Staterooms - A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H
  • The lower deck has 8 comfy staterooms that are approx. 90 square feet with central air conditioning. Six of the staterooms have side-by-side beds. Two of the staterooms have large full beds and an additional storage area. An affordable triple occupancy stateroom is also available.

Nautilus Explorer Nautilus Explorer

Premium Emerald

Nautilus Explorer Nautilus Explorer

Superior Suites

Nautilus Explorer Nautilus Explorer

Stateroom (L) & Triple Stateroom (R) 

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General Facilities

Boat Features, Facilities and Photos

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Nautilus Explorer Nautilus Explorer

Nautilus Explorer Nautilus Explorer

 

Nautilus Explorer General Features

  • Sun Deck: 2 on the upper deck and 1 hot tub deck
  • Indoor Lounge: 1 in front of the dive deck with PC and Mac computers and a 42-inch TV
  • Air Conditioning: In all indoor areas
  • Other Facilities: Photo station, camera room, charging stations, camera station, separate camera rinse
  • Food & Drinks: 4 meals/day. American, European, Mexican cuisine with a mix of buffet and table service. Bread and pastries baked on board. Beer, wines, and spirits available.
  • Internet: Available at an extra charge

 

Deck Plan

Nautilus Explorer Layout

 

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Schedule, Rates & Availability

Nautilus Explorer Liveaboard Schedule & Rates

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Prices are per person in USD and include 5% tax, which is often not included on other websites. Scroll down to see the full inclusions & exclusions.  Click on 'Booking Request' to see cabin options and to book.

 

Package Inclusions

  • Accommodation
  • All meals (continental breakfast, breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert), non-alcoholic beverages, and snacks
  • Use of kayaks and stand up paddleboards (on Socorro Island trips only)
  • Weights, weight belts, aluminum 80’s and air, 
  • Daily room service, towels, 
  • In-water divemaster and end of trip slideshow DVD 
  • Onboard facilities such as the hot tub and lounge.

 

Package Exclusions

  • Port Fee of $65.00 USD per person 
  • Transfers between airport and hospitality suite
  • Gift shop purchases
  • Bar
  • Crew gratuities
  • Dive gear rentals
  • Nitrox is available for $20.00 USD per dive day.
  • Optional wi-fi access on board. 

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Rates & Availability

For more information on the rates and on availability email us at info@bluewaterdivetravel.com or call us at +1-310-915-6677 and we will gladly help you plan your dream dive vacation! 

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Dive Information & Itineraries

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Socorro Itinerary Overview

Socorro Island is part of the Revillagigedos, a group of small islands off the coast of Baja California, Mexico. Dive sites include Socorro, San Benedicto & Roca Partida but may change due to ocean conditions. The manta behavior here is unique in the world. The 12-to-16-foot giant mantas of Socorro seek out intimate interactions with divers. They communicate with us, from locking eyes in a first contact to gently swimming just overhead to be tickled by bubbles. Sometimes they hover alongside or underneath a diver, where they often stay, curious and seemingly in want of a connection that has left more than one diver with tears of joy.

It’s one of the reasons we stay committed to the Socorro Islands (a.k.a. the Revillagigedo Archipelago), well worth the full-day motor south from Cabo San Lucas. Volcanic in origin, these islands serve as an oasis amid the Sea of Cortez, 250 miles off the Baja Peninsula coast. The raw lava flows and active volcanoes in these islands resemble the lost world of “Jurassic Park,” which seems fitting as these outpost islands, including 

Roca Partida, beckon not just to giant mantas but to a host of big animals.

Your journey will include four dives per day (subject to weather and unforeseeable circumstances)—each an opportunity to encounter resident pods of playful dolphins. You may also see up to 10 varieties of shark: schooling scalloped hammerheads, solitary giant hammerheads, Galápagos, whitetip reef, silver-tip, silky, tiger and oceanic whitetips. The list also includes whale sharks and dusky sharks and on occasion even a thresher shark.

On most days, we enjoy visibility of 70 to 100 feet. When the current picks up, the ash from these volcanic isles can rise, reducing the visibility to 30 feet. For the wide-angle experience that is big-animal diving, this isn’t ideal. But, we’re still cruising one of the most pristine underwater environments—so we then choose dives where we’re closer to the reefs and marine life such as eels, octopuses and Socorro lobsters.

 

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Other Information

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Boat Specifications

  • Year Built: 2000
  • Length: 116 feet
  • Beam: 27 feet
  • Construction Material: Steel hull
  • Speed: 12-knot maximum service speed
  • Water capacity: Unlimited with high capacity watermaker
  • Compressors: 2 x water cooled Coltri MC-30
  • Rebreather friendly
  • Dive skiffs: 3 x high-speed large inflatables
  • Passengers: 25
  • Crew: 10-11
  • Cabin: 13

 

Practical Information

  • Time Zone: UTC-6
  • Local Currency: Mexican Peso (MXN)
  • Language Spoken: English & Spanish
  • Payment Onboard: Cash, Visa & Mastercard

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Got Questions? Ready to Book?

Call us today at 310-915-6677 or email us at info@bluewaterdivetravel.com

And let us book your dream vacation!

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Underwater Photos

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Socorro Underwater Pictures

Nautilus Under Sea Bluewater Dive Travel Nautilus Under Sea Bluewater Dive Travel

Nautilus Under Sea Bluewater Dive Travel Nautilus Under Sea Bluewater Dive Travel

Nautilus Under Sea Bluewater Dive Travel Nautilus Under Sea Bluewater Dive Travel

Nautilus Under Sea Bluewater Dive Travel Nautilus Under Sea Bluewater Dive Travel

Nautilus Under Sea Bluewater Dive Travel Nautilus Under Sea Bluewater Dive Travel

Nautilus Under Sea Bluewater Dive Travel Nautilus Under Sea Bluewater Dive Travel

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Reviews (10)

LEW-SF
2 Reviews
Mark as helpful 
5
4
5
5

I have taken two trips with the Nautilus Explorer and both were incredible. The first was to Guadalupe for the Great White Shark cage dive and the second to Socorro Island. While very different dive trips the service and food was equally amazing. The staff on the boat assists with everything you need. Preparation and break down of gear between dives, coffee, tea or hot chocolate as you exit the water and very good food during and between meals. The team of people working are incredible friendly and customer service oriented which makes for a great time while at sea.

The shark dive was all that you hope it will be. I went in August of 2011 and was amazed at the size, grace and curiosity of the animals. The visibility was in excess of 100 feet making for excellent photographic opportunities. We saw sharks on every dive and could not stay out of the water.

The Socorro trip is the best dive vacation I have taken to date and I went on the January 2013 excursion. The diversity of sea life and close interaction cannot be described. Giant Mantas, Hammerhead sharks, Dolphins became "common" and regular sitings of whales and their calfs were "commonplace". Coupling these experiences with top notch dive masters made the trip phenomenal.

They offer trips to other locations and I can't wait to work them into my schedule.

Visited on 02/2013 - Submitted on 02/04/2014
Divemonkey
2 Reviews
Mark as helpful 
3
4
3
4

Let me start by saying I only gave three stars for marine life because of the lack of variety, which I expected. So don't let that hold you back. My only suggestion is to chooses one of their longer excursions that hit a few other destinations if you'd like to see more than Great White Sharks and Sea Lions. I had intended to do that but the timing just didn't work out.

The crew was exceptional. Great personalities, energetic and always available to help or chat. There was the standard snacks available between dives, but an added touch was the steward greeting you as you came out of the water with drinks and snacks as well as hot towels. Nothing like being handed a hot cocoa and a cookie as you shake off the cold =)

The chef did a great job, the food was plentiful and tasty.

Now for the main attraction...the Great Whites. They were spectacular and came close enough to touch. The unique thing on this boat was that beyond the standard surface cages, they had two cages they sink down to 40' (and I believe they've added a 5th that goes to 20'). Now the first day the Captain said if conditions were good the DM would signal that we could stand ON TOP of the cage. In my head I thought, what kind of idiot would do that? On my second dive I was that idiot...this wasn't because I'm an adrenaline junky, you just realize that although they are curious about us, we aren't on the menu. What an amazing feeling to have an 18' beautiful female (Kimel) swim within a foot of you with nothing but a bar that comes up to your thigh between you and her. We saw over 15 different sharks and two people were able to name new ones. If you are the first to get good profile shots of a shark that is not in their ID book, you get to name it. Wear a little more thermal protection than normal for this since while you are in the cage you aren't moving like you would on a normal dive.

The ride out and back were rough to put it mildly...nearly everyone got sick on the way out. Those of us that didn't, got sunburned on the top deck trying to stay out of the cabins. Despite the rough crossing, pay attention...we saw large whales tail lobbing, flying fish and on the way back we were surrounded by a pod of over 1,000 dolphins. It was a perfect ending to an amazing trip!

Visited on 08/2008 - Submitted on 03/02/2014
Kimel....gorgeous tail =)
Me on the left =)
  • Reviewer
ryan.kissick
4 Reviews
Mark as helpful 
5
4
5
5

I went on the Nautilus Explorer for a trip to Guadalupe Island to photograph Great White Sharks. This had been on my bucket list for awhile, and it exceeded my expectations. Despite the long crossing from Ensenada to Guadalupe Island, the trip was well worth it. Seeing the sharks up close and personal was incredible. We had multiple sharks around the cages at all times, which made for great photography. We also had a few visits from seals (including one adventurous seal who chased and nipped at the sharks) and one encounter with a massive school of yellowfin tuna. However, the main attraction at Guadalupe Island is great white sharks. If you are expecting a diversity of wildlife at Guadalupe Island, I would probably suggest going elsewhere. However, if you want to view great whites in good visibility (visibility was consistently 100 ft+), I'd highly recommend Guadalupe Island.

The Nautilus Explorer was the perfect vessel for this trip. The staff is incredibly friendly, the food is great, the rooms are big (especially the master suite, but all rooms were quite nice for a liveaboard), the hot tub is WONDERFUL and the diving is incredibly easy. There are 4 cages on the Nautilus Explorer: two deep cages (40 feet deep), one medium cage (18 feet) and one surface cage. The two shallow cages are always open for divers (first come, first serve), and the two deep cages have schedules that allow for equal viewing among all divers. Shifts in the deep cages are 40 minutes and the time absolutely flies by.

The other nice thing about diving Guadalupe Island on the Nautilus Explorer is that you don't need your Scuba gear. Air is provided from the surface, so you just need a wetsuit and mask.

I would love to go back on the Nautilus Explorer for any of their trips, whether it is back to Guadalupe, the Sea of Cortez, or the Socorro Islands. And for those looking to see or photograph Great Whites, a trip to Guadalupe is a must, especially for those living in the United States. It's way easier to get to San Diego/Ensenada than Australia or South Africa.

Visited on 08/2012 - Submitted on 03/25/2014
  • Reviewer
ilovediving
Los Angeles, CA
United States
7 Reviews
Mark as helpful 
5
4
5
5

I went to Guadalupe on the Nautilus Explorer in September 2015. Overall, it was excellent.

Food: We had all types of food allergies on our trip (gluten, dairy, eggs, etc.) and everyone was well accommodated, and the chef paid very close attention to cross contamination. The food consisted of a continental breakfast, full cooked breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. Everything was delicious and there was plenty available. It was some of the best food I've had on a liveaboard.

Cabins: I like the fact that the double cabins are side by side beds, not bunks. There's plenty of storage space. By comparison to most other liveaboards, the cabin are a decent size. The shower always had hot water and strong water pressure. The toilet was a real toilet (like you'd find in your house), not a marine toilet. The only complaint I have about the cabins (and why I gave it 4 stars instead of 5) is because the mattresses are really hard. However, I was told that you can ask them to put a comforter between the fitted sheet and the mattress, which would help.

Crew: Stellar. Every one of them. The hostesses are always around to bring you a drink, snack, or whatever you need. The crew will bend over backwards to ensure you have an amazing trip.

Diving: Great white sharks - what's not to love?!? Nautilus Explorer runs an on-time and efficient dive schedule for the submersible cages. The guys on deck are always available to help you don weights or get in/out of the surface cages.

Overall, I was very impressed with this boat and I'm already scheduled to go on Nautilus Explorer again next year.

Visited on 09/2015 - Submitted on 09/30/2015
  • Reviewer
flamboman
3 Reviews
Mark as helpful 
5
4
5
5

The Nautilus fleet (I've been on both Explorer and Undersea) is top notch. The crew is incredibly friendly and entertaining, they keep their guests safe and the food is amazing. Admittedly some of the rooms can feel a little small but its really not a problem since the only time you're really in them is to sleep and the beds are comfortable. The boat itself is spacious, has plenty of camera space and of course, the crew puts you on the Great Whites. There are no words to accurately describe Great White Sharks. They are incredible, beautiful, powerful and graceful. There is no other feeling like having one of these giant sharks swim by and lock eyes with you as it passes.

Visited on 08/2017 - Submitted on 10/28/2017
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